Dressing well For The Gym
He might be rapidly heading towards centurion status, but the style lessons of Don Draper are as essential in 2024 as they were in 1960. Here’s an inspired guide to adding a bit of style to your workout wear.
Beating fatigue in your 40s doesn’t have to be tiring.
THE BRIEF
Time to read: 6 minutes 45 seconds
Time to action: One click on an e-commerce button
Mantra: You decide what you are, what you want to express by how you dress and how you live - Gianni Versace
Main message: People might look - so give them a good show
Stat: ‘Enclothed Cognition’ - the positive influence clothes can have on the wearer's psyche
Despite being born on June 1st, 1926, Don Draper had to wait until 2007, that’s 81 years, for his story to be told. Then, for eight years, he held our fascination from a time more misogynistic, teaching us about the art of reinvention, the art of presentation and the important distinction between success and happiness. More than anything, though, he taught us how to dress.
The office suit, of course, was impeccable. But the DD brand taught us all a 360-life lesson about looking to live it. With the sports jackets, the accessories, and the effortless casualness for everyday occasions, Draper did the unimaginable and took the fear of failure out of middle-aged dressing. It’s a legacy to be proud. Something we should take from 2007 (and, of course, 1960-1970) and apply it to 2024 onwards.
Dress To Move Well
Working from home has many beautiful elements, but at the centre of the piss-poor intersection between ‘casual dressing’ and ‘no reasons to move much’ sits your current workout wardrobe. We want the centre of your Venn diagram to sit between working out and feeling good. So, to celebrate the big Don’s 98th birthday, here is the middle-aged man’s guide to dressing well for the gym. Because you can wear the tracksuit bottoms you paint the house in, but you probably shouldn’t.
Rule number 1: There are no rules
No, we are not suggesting a Fight Club/Mad Men mash-up (although it would look VERY cool). A very wise Style Director once taught us that the fundamental of looking good is feeling good. If you already feel good about what you wear to the gym, you are now the master. For many men, the drive for a designer wardrobe is one of two things: ‘peacocking’ or mitigating the fear of getting it wrong. Be assured, there is no getting it wrong, just degrees of feeling good. So what follows are suggestions, guidelines, and concepts to run with or poo-poo as you prefer.
Rule number 2: Don’t look, feel….
Poor fit is what often drives self-conscious dressing over 40. In good shape or not, the gym can feel like a place you shouldn’t be until you’ve been in it a while, so getting a kit you’re pleased with is an excellent first step to making going a joy. Even better news is the current reinvention of the baggy fit. Yes, your '90s look has been co-opted by the mainstream, so the silhouette is now… well, non-existent. The upshot is a broader range of options to feel good in that you’ve seen in the last 20 years. It’s almost the more comfortable, the better. Almost.
Find the perfect FORM with… ‘ON’, who do amazing hoodies and sweatshirts, perfect for the pre-post gym look and a warm-up.
Rule number 3: Look outside the obvious
When it comes to finding gym wear suited to you, it’s easy to uncomfortable in the same gear as someone who’s 20 years younger than you. If you don’t want to risk dressing like the dude next to you, do one of two things:
1. Do not go ‘total look’ - pick a few selt bits from your brand of choice.
2. Look outside the box for additional labels that fit you well.
It is a bit like mixing designer and high street. There’s nothing wrong with mixing mainstream and unknown fitness brands. In fact, at 40+, it’s a great look. Mr Porter.com isn’t the cheapest, but good quality gym wear will last. And, of course, if you get bigger, it stretches, and if you get smaller, a loose fit is infinitely more appropriate these days anyway.
Find the perfect FORM with… Outdoor voices, Reigning Champ, District Version
Rule number 4: Mutton or lamb
Black! Everyone knows it for its slimming effect, but it’s also become the default setting for a gym bro. A totally black outfit might feel a bit Neo-meets-Cobra while looking a bit age-meets-denial. Now, to be 100% clear, it can look incredibly stylish. It’s a tremendous in-shape look. It works well when coupled with a well-groomed face. So if you love it, do it. But don’t be afraid to mix colours. Perhaps not Agassi-inspired 80s colour (unless you love it), but green sweats and blue T-shirts are all good.
Find the perfect FORM with… Gant ‘shield’ sweatpants, well constructed, transitional, work with technical wear.
“Wonderfully, sports fashion (Spashion or athleisure, if you will) is a thing in a way it never was for most Gen-Xers.”
Rule number 5: Style, not trend
Wonderfully, sports fashion (Spashion or athleisure, if you will) is a thing in a way it never was for most Gen-Xers. The cross-over from wearing gym-ready gear onto the high street is no longer the preserve of shiny tracksuits or overly extended muscle vests. Though, remarkably, they're making a bit of a comeback. The temptation might be to go ‘fashion forward’ and buy into some of the more new-wave street fashion/performance sportswear. Once again, if you love it, do it. However, if you are a little more reserved, think about timelessness over today. Classic sweatshirts, t-shirts, and joggers are the sort of things that suggest style-stealth. Feel free to add a bit of a fashion-forward element if you fancy, just maybe not head-to-toe.
Find the perfect FORM with… Fear Of God. The label, not a commandment.
Rule number 6: No go logos, or okay for insignias?
As a guideline, big logos are general, no-gos. A small logo is all-go, and a plain, single colour is always ready to go. Once again, if you love them and they make you feel positive, go large my friend. From an ironic movie reference (‘Pork Chop Express’, anyone?) to a ‘Balenciaga’ so big you can see it from space. If you want a little more classic-with-a-twist, Percival does homages that suggest a little more style and translate nicely to wearing post-gym without feeling self-conscious - sweat and stains aside, of course.
Find the perfect FORM with… Pervial T-shirts. Stylish is an excellent place to feel good, before the sweating really starts.
Rule number 7: 50% technical, 50% aesthetic
A plain cotton set-up is a simple way to get started, but once you’re committed to a routine, you will probably want to up your gymwear’s performance to match your own. Sweating is a sign of a healthy body; as you get fitter, expect to feel it more. Materials that draw sweat away from the body are a joy, so moisture-wicking fabric is a win. Additionally, consider compression versus breathability. You may want some layers to hold you in place to limit damage, so couple them with looser fits so you breathe easily. The final thing - for the promised performance of technical wear (anti-odour tech, UV protection, four-way stretch, etc.), do you like how it looks? Function, yes, but also form. 50-50 feels fair.
Find the perfect FORM with…Lululemon. The mix of technical and attractive translates amazingly in their men’s range.
Rule number 8: Reward, not punishment
it is a cliche, but every survey still suggests many of us don’t like shopping. So, two very quick things:
1. e-commerce is a joy; embrace it.
2. Can we suggest a mind-shift change? If you are not used to spending time and money on yourself, embrace it! You are worth it.
The fact that you are on your health and fitness journey means you should look to reward yourself at every given opportunity. So why not with a bit of a wardrobe upgrade? For every target you hit, add or upgrade your workout wardrobe. It’s better than a celebratory pie and helps to reinforce the reality of your successes. Dress for the body you want and feel bloody good in it.
